www.alpa.org/skywest

[reno]

If you are a SkyWest pilot and are not yet registered at www.alpa.org/skywest it is important that you register now!

SGU is not about to hand over the pilot database to ALPA. By registering on the website you are giving ALPA a database so that they can send information to you, and when the time comes a registration card to send to the NMB to petition a vote.

Vote your conscience, but get educated and vote!

 

[Plug]

Keep up the good work Reno, look forward to working with you in the future.

 

[amcnd]

Are you crazy!!! What has ALPA done for Mesaba/ASA/Eagle/Comair...ect!!!
The only thing I can think of is take in there dues!

 

[reno]

You should educate yourself about what ALPA can and cannot do. They can not fix the world. But they do provide a legal-binding contract which SkyWest does not have. A contract removes the At-Will employment status that SkyWest pilots now enjoy.

SGU is asking ASA for pay concessions. They are asking that the entire pilot group become dual qualified in the 200/700. ASA pilots can negotiate their contract and vote yes or no.

At SkyWest we are told what we get, what to fly, and how much we will be paid for flying. If we refuse, we are fired. We are at-will employees.

The list of benefits goes on and on. It is not a perfect world, but it is better than having no say in your career at all, as it is currently at SkyWest.

Hopefully not for much longer.

www.alpa.org/skywest

 

[49W]

Are you crazy!!! What has ALPA done for Mesaba/ASA/Eagle/Comair...ect!!!
The only thing I can think of is take in there dues!

When you need personal representation for a potential career-ending event, believe me, those dues become worth it.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I always hear people say "ALPA takes my money and I have nothing to show for it".

First of all, write your dues off come tax season.

Secondly, if you ever find yourself infront of a review board for God knows what, you're going to wish you had a Union to fight for you.

 

[amcnd]

I agree the protection is great. But Southwest pilots have that without alpa? All Alpa would do for SkyWest is cause another 4 years of contract talks followed by a pay cut. We just voted NO and no one got fired! All im saying is Alpa is not the "fix all" to SkyWest's problems.

 

[reno]

You are correct. It is not a fix all. But the benefits far outweigh the cost, in job protection alone. No one got fired for voting no on the last TA. But I personally know several who have been fired with no one protecting their jobs. That benefit alone is worth the dues. But there are many more benifits. I agree, it is not a fix all, it is a fix some.

 

[49W]

I agree the protection is great. But Southwest pilots have that without alpa? All Alpa would do for SkyWest is cause another 4 years of contract talks followed by a pay cut. We just voted NO and no one got fired! All im saying is Alpa is not the "fix all" to SkyWest's problems.

Southwest pilots have a unique relationship with their management. Their has been very profitable for a long time. If the type of leadership ever changes at Southwest to what is common now in this industry, things will be different. You voted no to a laughable pay raise. I don't think management would have any hard feelings about that.

 

[Ralgha]

If you are a SkyWest pilot and are not yet registered at www.alpa.org/skywest it is important that you register now!

SGU is not about to hand over the pilot database to ALPA. By registering on the website you are giving ALPA a database so that they can send information to you, and when the time comes a registration card to send to the NMB to petition a vote.

Vote your conscience, but get educated and vote!

Why don't you tell us the real reason to register? That being that ALPA requires a minimum number to have registered before they back a drive.

 

[reno]

I think my original post is pretty clear, but you are correct... ALPA does not want to have a vote if the majority of pilots do not desire representation. When a vote comes, the SkyWest pilots as a whole can choose to vote yes or no. The desire of the majority rules, as it should be.

www.alpa.org/skywest

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Why don't you tell us the real reason to register? That being that ALPA requires a minimum number to have registered before they back a drive.

So, what's the big deal if you register? You can still vote no to a union down the road if you so choose...Although if you would just make an effort to inform yourself, I don't know why you'd turn down an opportunity to have a real voice, as opposed to just having to accept whatever is offered, or not offered like our 1.2% and now apparently nothing!

 

[goahead]

Maybe instead of ALPA we need a in house union of ASA/Skywest or Skywest/ASA folks. That would be the best option IMHO. ALPA has to many things going on with to many airlines big and small. I work for ASA and I think that there is a lot of people here that would vote for that.

 

[reno]

There are certainly pro's and cons to ALPA vs. in house or other union. The reality is though, at SKYW, only ALPA has enough support to pass. We tried an independent run 3 years ago, UPA, but it did not pass.

www.alpa.org/skywest

 

[Rossa]

I work for XJ (at the minute) and I can tell you that without ALPA, things would be even worse! We may not win this one, but that would be the result of the law and not ALPA. The resources that ALPA has thrown behind the pilot group here have been impressive! Things are fine for you guys right now, but if your leadership changes or gets aggressive with the pilot group, you're gonna wish you had someone to stand up for you. ALPA isn't perfect, but they are finally realizing that the industry has changed and they are stepping it up to try and correct their mistakes.
Your alternatives: Form your own union - sounds fine. Get the Teamsters - did a great job standing up for G0Jets and succeeded in pushing us back into the gutter. Don't form a union - sounds good until mngt decides to screw with you (individually or otherwise). Get ALPA - not perfect, but has the experience and is improving.

 

[sweptback]

Maybe instead of ALPA we need a in house union of ASA/Skywest or Skywest/ASA folks. That would be the best option IMHO. ALPA has to many things going on with to many airlines big and small. I work for ASA and I think that there is a lot of people here that would vote for that.

An independant union would only work for a mainline carrier where the average pilot pay is higher. Like it or not, via ALPA the regionals get more money out of it than they put in. Also, ALPA has a lot of experience dealing with the ASA side of things, and I'm not sure that's something that should just be thrown away.

 

[SSDD]

Skywest Airlines $500 million...Inhouse union $10,000...

Oh yeah, those would be fun negotiations...

 

[Sasquatch1]

Reno,
If (when) we merge with ASA, don't you think there would be a conflict of interest with ALPA representing both SkyWest and ASA? I agree we need to be more organized as a pilot group, but with our seniority at stake ALPA seems sketchy. My take is that we don't owe ASA anything as a pilot group; and should take the hard-line for protecting our own.

 

[49W]

Reno,
If (when) we merge with ASA, don't you think there would be a conflict of interest with ALPA representing both SkyWest and ASA? I agree we need to be more organized as a pilot group, but with our seniority at stake ALPA seems sketchy. My take is that we don't owe ASA anything as a pilot group; and should take the hard-line for protecting our own.

However it happens, we need to merge lists. SkyWest voting in ALPA would make this easier and more fair in my opinion. If not, SkyWest pilots will continue to "take the hard-line" for protecting their own and ASA will do the same for their own. Somebody will come out a loser in the end.

 

[reno]

If SKYW becomes an ALPA carrier, the integration would be governed by ALPA bylaws. Basically, it would have to be "fair and equitable" to both sides.

Some SKYW pilots would like ASA to be stapled to our list. Some ASA pilots would want the reverse. That would not be "fair and equitable" to either side.

If SKYW remains without representation, we can only count on SAPA to represent SKYW. With their experience in the field (zero), compared to ALPA's (sixty plus years), and with the legal budget of SAPA (zero), I'd be much more comfortable having ALPA work with both sides to reach that "fair and equitable" integration.

SGU has told us they want to "keep us separate". At the same time they have told investors that they intend to integrate. I don't know if they will or not, but I wouldn't rule out either possibility.

The integration possibility is only one of the many reasons SKYW pilots need to have representation.

By both being ALPA, the whipsaw would be very difficult for SGU.

www.alpa.org/skywest

 

[PCL_128]

Guys, the reason to get ALPA instead of an independent union is simple: money. ALPA can provide you with money that you couldn't even begin to approach with only your inhouse dues. All regionals receive more money from ALPA than they pay in in dues. That's because it is subsidized by the majors that draw in huge amounts of money. That's one of the major benefits of a large nationwide pilots' union. ALPA can provide millions of dollars come self-help time if necessary. An in-house union would take decades to build up that much cash. This doesn't even include the countless other benefits to ALPA membership such as Aeromedical, Legal, CIRP, HIMS, etc... Forget the in-house nonsense. ALPA is the way to go.

As for the merger, you will be much better off if both SKYW and ASA are represented by ALPA. If ALPA is only representing ASA, then they will do whatever they can to make sure their members come out on top. If both pilot groups are represented by ALPA, then the merger will be dictated by the Association's merger policy from the By-laws. It would be a reasonably fair integration. If you want to see what happens when two pilot groups represented by different unions merge, then take a look at the TWA/AA fiasco. Great if you're an AA pilot, reprehensible if you're a TWA pilot. Which one would you end up being in a merger at SKYW/ASA? Hard to tell. Better stick with the fair process in the ALPA By-laws. Vote ALPA.

 

[joe_pilot]

... they have told investors that they intend to integrate...

Reno, Where did you read this? I havn't heard that.

Thanks,

-JP

 

[DX Rick]

When you need personal representation for a potential career-ending event, believe me, those dues become worth it.

Yeah, just ask the recently fired Mesa FO who was fired, when the union did nothing in their power to help him. Insted they passed up the whole union process and allowed the guy to get fired. And no, he wasn't still within his probationary period.
This incident created such an uproar on MESALOUNGE.COM that AH didn't like it and had his little buddy on the TSA MEC (who owned the website) shut it down. He didn't like pilots to read what the Union really does, beside sit on their ass, collecting your money. Asking for more money for merger lists and what not, because "it's not included in your dues"
ALPA does a good job of telling pilots it's ok to take pay cuts, as long as they continue to get THIER cut of YOUR check.
If you think you need a union, make it an inhouse union.

 

[reno]

Reno, Where did you read this? I havn't heard that.

Thanks,

-JP

It's been said in many press release and earnings conference calls. Here's an example, read down to the bold:

NEWS RELEASE​

For Further Information Contact:
Michael J. Kraupp
Vice President Finance and Assistant Treasurer
Telephone: (435) 634-3212
Fax: (435) 634-3205

​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2005​

SKYWEST, INC. FILES REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

​

St. George, Utah, November, 2005/PRNewswire/—SkyWest, Inc. (“SkyWest”) (NASDAQ:
SKYW) today announced the filing of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for a proposed offering of 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock by SkyWest. The
registration statement includes an underwriters’ overallotment option to purchase from SkyWest
an additional 600,000 shares. Merrill Lynch & Co. is the sole bookrunning manager for the
proposed offering, and Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as a co-manager.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor
may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor
shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state.
A copy of the final prospectus for the offering can be obtained from the offices of either:
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
4 World Financial Center, North Tower
New York, NY 10080
or
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
880 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Any offering will be made only by means of a final prospectus. This press release shall not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale in any
state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
SkyWest, Inc., is a holding company that operates two independent subsidiaries, SkyWest Airlines,
based in St. George, Utah, and Atlantic Southeast Airlines (“ASA”), based in Atlanta, Georgia.
SkyWest Airlines operates as United Express and Delta Connection carriers under contractual
agreements with United Air Lines and Delta Air Lines. ASA operates as a Delta Connection carrier
under a contractual agreement with Delta Air Lines. System-wide, SkyWest, Inc. serves 212 cities
in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, with over 2,400 daily departures. This
press release and additional information regarding SkyWest, Inc. can be accessed at

​

www.skywest.com​

.
In addition to historical information, this release contains forward-looking statements.
“SkyWest” may, from time-to-time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements encompass
SkyWest's beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events. Words such as
"expects," "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "should," "likely" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as
of the date hereof and are based on information available to SkyWest as of such date. SkyWest
assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Actual results will vary, and
may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of
reasons, including, among others: Delta’s bankruptcy proceedings; the failure to integrate the
operations and employees of SkyWest and ASA and achieve the anticipated synergies as a result
of the acquisition; the failure to successfully operate as anticipated under the terms of the Delta
Connection Agreements; the impact of negotiations with ASA’s organized labor forces and the
impact of the costs of such labor forces on SkyWest’s operations and financial condition; the
failure to accurately forecast acquisition-related costs; and the challenges of competing
successfully in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry. Other factors that may cause
actual results to vary from SkyWest’s expectations include developments associated with
fluctuations in the economy and the demand for air travel; bankruptcy proceedings involving
United; ongoing negotiations between SkyWest and its major partners regarding their contractual
relationships; variations in market and economic conditions; employee relations and labor costs;
rapidly escalating fuel costs; the degree and nature of competition; potential fuel shortages in
markets where SkyWest Airlines or ASA operate; the impact of weather-related or other natural
disasters on air travel and airline costs; the ability of SkyWest Airlines and ASA to expand
services in new and existing markets and to maintain profit margins in the face of pricing
pressures; aircraft deliveries; SkyWest’s ability to obtain financing; and other unanticipated
factors. Risk factors, cautionary statements and other conditions which could cause actual
results to differ from management’s current expectations are contained in SkyWest’s filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section of SkyWest’s Annual Report on
form 10-K, entitled “Factors That May Affect Future Results.”


www.alpa.org/skywest

​

 

[Tomct]

It only makes sense to merge the companies. JA realizes that paying for two sets of mgmnt, two GO's and two sets of training is just plain STUPID!! Yes they would lose the whipsaw effect, but I dare say they spend more operating two different companies.

ALPA is not perfect, but the protection is AWESOME! I don't know what happened with the Mesa dude, maybe he was not in good standing...I don't know, but the fact of the matter is that it gives you protection, which you guys/gals at Skywst DON'T have at this time! In house union is fine, but you better have some DEEEEEEEEPPPP pockets to get that thing started! You complain about how much ALPA takes, try double or triple that for an "in house" start-up union! Educate yourselves and VOTE IN ALPA!! It is the ONLY way to go! Good Luck

 

[PCL_128]

Yeah, just ask the recently fired Mesa FO who was fired, when the union did nothing in their power to help him. Insted they passed up the whole union process and allowed the guy to get fired. And no, he wasn't still within his probationary period.
This incident created such an uproar on MESALOUNGE.COM that AH didn't like it and had his little buddy on the TSA MEC (who owned the website) shut it down. He didn't like pilots to read what the Union really does, beside sit on their ass, collecting your money. Asking for more money for merger lists and what not, because "it's not included in your dues"
ALPA does a good job of telling pilots it's ok to take pay cuts, as long as they continue to get THIER cut of YOUR check.
If you think you need a union, make it an inhouse union.

For starters, I don't believe this story for a second. You must have gotten some bad information. Don't trust the rumors, ask the reps for the real story. No ALPA rep is going to simply ignore a pilot that has been terminated. DFR requires ALPA to due its best to treat all pilots equally, and that means providing adequate representation for any disciplined pilot that was in good standing. An elected rep actually risks a civil suit if he doesn't provide such representation. ALPA even sells insurance to elected reps in case such a suit is brought against them. Besides that, if the member files a termination grievance and the local Grievance reps don't file it, he always has the option of going to National to get the grievance filed. One way or another, ALPA will help out this pilot if he simply asks for the help.

 

[DX Rick]

For starters, I don't believe this story for a second. You must have gotten some bad information. Don't trust the rumors, ask the reps for the real story. No ALPA rep is going to simply ignore a pilot that has been terminated. DFR requires ALPA to due its best to treat all pilots equally, and that means providing adequate representation for any disciplined pilot that was in good standing. An elected rep actually risks a civil suit if he doesn't provide such representation. ALPA even sells insurance to elected reps in case such a suit is brought against them. Besides that, if the member files a termination grievance and the local Grievance reps don't file it, he always has the option of going to National to get the grievance filed. One way or another, ALPA will help out this pilot if he simply asks for the help.

I know more facts than I should know. I brought this to the attention of his union rep, and so did others on the Mesalounge website. The day all the facts were revieled of the incident, the webiste was shut down, and has still not been up.
Quit feeding into all the ALPA hype. These union reps are worse than used car salesmen.

You're so gung ho about Unionization and brotherhood.....why the hell did you sell out and pay for all your time?

 

[Blucher]

For those of us who don't know the story, what happened?

-Blucher

 

[PCL_128]

Quit feeding into all the ALPA hype. These union reps are worse than used car salesmen.

I am an ALPA rep, so I think I know a little bit more about this process than you do. I tried to give you some info to help the guy out, but you'd rather waste time bashing ALPA and the reps that devote their spare time to volunteering for the Association. That's really helpful. If you'd really like to help this guy that lost his job, stop the ALPA bashing and get something done. Which rep did you talk to? What did he say? Did you or the pilot talk to the Grievance Committee? How about the MEC Chairman? If so and they didn't help (highly unlikely), then did you or the pilot contact someone at National? You don't have to answer these questions on an open forum, but if you'd like some help to get this guy his job back, send me a PM. I'm not a rep at Mesa, but I do know what he needs to do and who to contact to get this thing fixed. Let me know, and please stop the needless ALPA bashing.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

on the Mesalounge website.

This alone destroys any creditibility.

I never understood why pilots felt they could convienently log onto to a message board (an annon one at that) and feel they are "communicating" with thier union reps.

Just another mis guided expectation... pilots think they can "direct" thier union reps from the message boards and the Reps are obligated (in any way) to repsond.

IOW, the pilot is too lazy or the issue really has no merit, for the pilot to pick up the phone, send an email with his name/phone number, or actually have a two way face to face conversation with him/her...

Look in the Mirror.... most of the answers are right there....